Magazine-feed mechanism for machine guns



July 2, 1929. c. PFE'IFFER ET AL 1,719,126

MAGAZINE FEED MECHANISM FOR MACHINE GUNS Filed April 8, 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 r. .9 Fly .7

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tarmj/ July 2, 1929. c, F R ET AL 1,719,126

MAGAZINE FEED MECHANISM FOR MACHINE GUNS Filed April 8, 1927 4 She'ets-Sheet '2 7 6'4. 2 5 7 F255 a oooooo' 000000 000000 owoooqooa 15000000 9, O/IOOOOOO 2, "000000 12 0 000000 ,oooooo 0 000000 0 000000 ooooo oooooo 0000- O m f, 1/ 4/ FI'A 7- jjYl EHZTUPS Christian Pfell feg Frsaerfak 77/ /0022 if xf- (W urns'y July 2, 1929. Q PFElFFER ET AL- 1.719.126

MAGAZINE FEED MECHANISM FOR MACHINE GUNS Filed A r'il s, 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 IHVEWL-U S ffyrwfizn Pfiffiar FredenbkTMaare y J. 1

Attarnsy Jul;' 2, 1929. C(PFEIFFER ETA; 1.719.126

MAGAZINE FEED MECHANISM FOR MACHINE GUNS Filed April 8, 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 iii;-

47 o 5/ 5 58 4/ a? o fm ezztars Christ-1E1? Pfei fiz" fied ridc 'Z'Maare ttarng z Patented July 2, 1929.

UNITED 'STATES- PATENT jjQFFljC-E.

CHRISTIAN PFEIFFE on HARTFORD, AND FREDERICK 'r. moon'njon EAST HARTFORD,

CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR'S T CoL'rs PATENT'FIRE ARMS MANUFACTURING eon- PANY, or HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT, A CORPORATION or CONNECTICUT;

MAGAZINE-FEED MECHANISM FOR MACHINE ('nrIl'lflS:

Application filed April 8,

A: lmagazine embodying the invention is adapted t obeattachedtoor removed from the gunat the .top thereof and means are provided .for gguidingthe feed belt from the 1 magazinetothe feed channel of the gun. Qne pfthe objects of the invention is to provide; ,a magazine of ,the type described having anopeningstherein WlIlCl'l'lS located between two belt containing portions thereof and which is ofsuch size as to permit the convenientsighting of the gun therethrough.

;,Another object of the invention is to provide a magazine having means thereon normally serving to zhold the cartridge belt against outward movement but which is nevertheless adapted to be automatically released to permit free movement of the belt when the magazine IlS' lIljlOIlIlfll position upon the gun. vAstill further object of the invention is to l provide in combination with the magazine means carried by the gun and forming a guide channel extending laterally from an exit opening in the magazine to the entrance end of the feed channel in the gun and to provide means associated with the guide channel for assistingthe movement of the cartridge belt therethrough.

Stillanother object of the invention is to provide a construction adapted to facilitate the movement of the magazine out of its nor- 40 mal position in order to permit access to the feed mechanism of the gun in case of jamming. In accordance with this phase of the invention the upper member forming the beforementioned guide channel is made mov- 5 able preferably being connected to move automatically, upward when the magazine is moved upward.

A still further object of the invention is to provide improved mechanism for guiding the magazine into-its: normal assembled position on the gun and for controlling the said magazineafter it isa's'sembled with the gun.-

Another object of then-invention is to provide in combination with a machine gun a 1927. Serial No. 182,670.,

magazine mechanism so iconstrlicted as to utilize for the partial support thereof the-longitudinal pm at the entrance to the feed Chan:

nel of the gun which pin 'priln arily serves for supporting tl1e;. paw1 which prevents movement of a cartridge belt backward out of the feed channel.

Still further objects of tlieinvention will be apparent fromthe following specification jacent portion of a gun,- the magazine ;lieing in. the position which it assumes when about to be engaged 7 t ths'cuit ewey -th e it F 2 PQ SPW iYe V ew E k n f the left, this view showingithe'left sendof the magazine and showingthe, gun as viewed in the direction of the arrow in F 1. I

Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical [sectional view through the magazine-and through the gun at the feed channel thereof, themag'azine being shown in the positionwhichit assumes just before reaching its v final assemr.

bled position on the gun. b V

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 but showing the magazine in its finahassembled position on thegun and showingthe cartridge belt in the position to which it ordinarily 1 moves by gravity as soon asthe magazine is in place. v V

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view similar to Fig. 4 but showing .theend offlthe cartridge belt advanced intot-he feed mechanism of the gun. 1

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional View taken along the'line fi-ffifofFig. 4,, the cartridge belt being omittedl; 3 5

Fig. .7. is a vertical longitudinal sectional M View taken along the line ;7..7 .of Fig. 4, the

cartridge belt being omitted for: the sake of simplicity of illustration.

Fig. 8 is avievm similar to :7 but showing the cover ofthe gun together with the i v magazine swung upward and forward to give access to the feed mechanism of the gun.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view taken from a point above and at the rear of'the gun, this view showing-the parts in the relative positions in which they appear in Fig. 8.

Referring to the drawings, 1 represents the box constituting the major portion of the magazine, this box being adapted to contain a cartridge feed belt as alreadystated and being adapted to be mounted on a gun at the top thereof. Wehave shown-a metallic belt A ofthe disintegrating type, but the inventionis not limited to use with such a' belt. As concerns s ome of the features of the invention,the' exact shape of the box is not essential but I have illustrated a generally rectangular box which, when in positionj onthe gun, projects laterally'at'b'oth sides thereof.

Inaccordan'ce with one phase of the invention the box, whether rectangular i'ri'shape or whether shaped fothrwise, is provided With a relatively .large opening extending from front to "rear thereof and located between two cartridge containing portions thereof; The purpbs'e'of theopehingin the box is'topermit the sightingofthe'gun'ili'theusu'al'm'anner Without elfi s s ty ei i t idina i y elevated sights which are objectionable? A magazine embodying the present invention may be used upon combat aerophnesandim this class of service it 'is desirable to rovide a relatively ividesighting" iii or fth'at the gun be trained a cdnsidei'able dis. tance" in advanfce' 'of an opposing; aeroplane along "thefpath 'of -movement thereof; ousl y in prdeflto permit the nto'beiised as described, the sighting opening in'thef bo'x must berela'tive't wide order'notto'pb- I struct the viewo 'the'gunneia' When the box'is fen-may rectangular in form as shown, the sighting aperture preferably'takes thefo'rmofa notch which extends downward from the top'ofthe magazinc and which is'preferably located at the center thereof so as to b'everti'cally above the gun'when the magazine is, in place. It will be observed that the s'ightingaperture 2 divides the magazine'in'to two mainca'rtridge containing I sections or portions '3 and 4: between which the opening is located. It will further be observed, particularly from an inspection of Fig. 3 ,"thatthe sighting opening 2 terminates aboye the bottom of the-box so as to provide a transverse passageway beneath it from the section 3 to the section 4. I

' The box and preferably is formed of sheet metal but for the sake of simplicity of illustration we have avoided'any attempt to show the detailsof the joints at the corners and e'lsewhereasj these may be varied, as desired and'may be in accordance with any usual or preferred practice. When the box is formed'with a sighting opening'2 as shown there are two-separate covers 5 and 6 for the two main portions 3 and 4 of the box, these covers being hinged preferably at the front as shown at 7 7 and being provided with spring latches 8, 8 by means of which they may be held in closed positions. A suitable handle is provided, this preferably being a leather handle 9 connected with the two covers 5 and 6 by means of lugs as shown at 9, 9*.

Means are provided which form a narrow passageway for the cartridge belt between the two main side portions 3 and 4 thereof in order to prevent any bodily movement of the belt'en masse from one side of the magazine to theother. When there is a sighting opening such .as 2 one wall of the opening such as 10 may be utilized to form one wall of the restricted passageway,'means such as a partition 11 being provided to form the other wall of the said passageway. Preferably a corner guide'element 11 is provided to guide the front end'of the belt when the magazine is being loaded. It will be seen that a vertical passageway-12 is formed "between the walls 10 and 11 this passageway being of such a size as to permit the movement therethrough of only' a single strand of the cartridge belt. From an inspection of-the drawings it will be obvious that the 'walllO and 11 forming the passageway '12 serve to positively prevent any bodily movement of the belt from one side of the magazine to'the other even though the magazine should be turned as much as 90 de grees from the horizontal. Movement from one'side to the other can take place only by the passage of a single strand of the belt through the restricted passageway.

At one side of the magazine from which the belt is fed to the gun, ordinarily the left hand side, there is preferably provided a guide channel 13. This channel is prefer ably formed by the lcfthand outer wall 14 of the box and by a partition 15 suitably spaced from the said wall. The guide channel terminates in an exit opening at 16 through which the cartridge belt may pass out of the magazine. For a purpose to be explained, the walls 14 and 15 have then lower end portions curved to the right as shown, the said exit opening 16 thus facing toward the gun.

' Preferably a stop is provided which is normallyso located as to engage one of the car tridges of the cartridge belt to prevent the forward end of the belt from advancing through the guide channel 13 and out of the exit opening 16. As illustrated, particularly in Fig. 6, the said stop is in the form of a pawl 17 which is pivotally mounted between two'angle bars 18, 18 secured to the partition 15.' The pawl is held in its operative position by means of a spring 19 as shown in Fig. 3. In order that'the pawl 17 may be released to permit the outward movement of the belt when'required', I provide a suitable releasing will advance to the position shown.

magazine reaches its final operative position on the gun. The pawl operating element is illustrated at 20, this element being pivotally mounted between the said angle bars 18, 18.

Fig. 4 shows the element engaged by 'a member carried by the gun, so that the pawl '17 has been moved to its inoperative position.

Thus the cartridge belt has been released for free movement out of the magazine.

Preferably in order to facilitate the movement of the cartridgebelt through the magazine horizontal guide rollers are provided.

One roller 21 is provided at the top of the partition 11 and at the entrance to the narrow passageway 12. Two other guide rollers 22,

'22 are mounted adjacent the corners of the sighting aperture 2. A fourth guide roller 23' is mounted near the top ofthepartition 15 and at the entrance to the guide channel a 13. As shown by'dotted lines in Fig.7 each roller preferably comprises a tube '24; with bu'shings '25, 25 therein. Each roller is mounted a on 'a'bearing pin '26 Xtending' btween the ront and back wa-lls of the box;

In initially loading themagafzine the belt A is first arranged in layers -in therighthand' portion 3 asclearly shown in Fig. 3. "When the righthand portion 3 has been filledthe forward end of the belt is dropped downward through the passageway 12, and said forward end engaging the guide element 11 and passing far enough into the portion 4 to permit its being reached by the hand of the operator. The slack portion of the'belt is then pulled through the passageway 12 and is arranged in layers in the le't'thand portion 4 of the magazine as also clearly shown in Fig. 3. Finally the forward end portion of the magazine is dropped downward through the guide channel 13. the pawl operating element 20 being manually engaged to move the pawl 17 backward so as to permit the end of the belt to With the end of the belt in the position shown the element 20 is released, thus permitting the pawl 17 to engage the belt and prevent further outward movement. In case the belt hasbeen accidentally advanced too far it may be pushed back into the box. A guide element 14" prevents any jamming at the top of the box when the belt is moved inward. The magazine when loaded as described is ready to be assembled upon a gun.

In accordance with the invention the'gun with which the magazine is to be used has certain additional elements mounted thereon. These elements are preferably entirely additional to the gun, involving little-or no change in the gun structure itself. The gun illustrated in the drawings is substantially the particular gun. As illustrated the gun comprises a breech casing 27,"a barrel 28, preferably surrounded bya barrel casing 29. The breech casing '27 is provided with a cover '30,- this cover being pivoted for movement about a transverse'i'horizontal axis at 31 and being adapted to'be-swung-upward and forward to expose'thecartridge feed channel in the gun and also the cartridge extracting and firing mechanism: The gun has the usual transverse feed slide 32, this slide being providedawith a spring pressed pawl 33 which engages the successive cartridges to give the feed belt a"s tep by step inovement from' left to right as the gun isfired. E A pivoted pawl 34 is provided to preventany movement of the belt -in the reverse direction. This pawl 1 34 is mounted on a'longitndin'al pin'34 held in a bracket 34*.

In" accordance rm'th-the present {invention the magazine proper; is adapted toengagethe f emh top 1 thereof and f it i is prefera-bly fmovablevertica'rly downwarti intoitsnormal ass'embled ipdsiticm -=Preferab'ly and as -i 1- l'ustrated the ana'gztzine is mounted upon'the cover so 'as to the inovable:'tir'ivvz ird and for ward therewith when: the 'cov'er is opened to expose the 'car'trid e feed mechanism? The *devicesfor engaging and holding the magazine-may be vari'eclto suit different conditions but, as'illustratedflz'have shown devices which are sc -constructed as to avoid any changes inthegun structure itselffi "Vith a gun 'structure -d iflering in details the magazine holding devices ma'y'jbe'modified and possibly somewhat simplified. As illustrated there is provided a cradle 35 in which the magazine rests. This cradle has a rear flange '36 and at its forwardendit is provided with upright channel members 37, 37'w hic-h em-- brace the edge portions of aguide' member '38 which is secured-to the gun near thefront of the breech casing thereof and which projects "ertically upifvardtherefrom. Preferably and'as shown the guide Inember'38 is secured to the cover 30 near the front thereof. The cradle is provided with flanges 39 and 40 at its left and right sides respectively. Preferably the magazine is provided with bevelled lugs"4 c1, 41 which are positioned to engage the flanges 39 and 40 to center-the magazine and to prevent 'lateral movement thereof with respect to the cradle. I I

' For 'lockingthe magazine against vertical movement upward' away from the cradle there is'providdaspring' pressed latch 42 the magazine-to the entrance end of the feed .ehannel of the gun we provide means carried by; the gun'and forming a guide channel 46.

- The said guide-channel means constitutes a part of the complete magazine mechanism which magazine mechanism is preferably supported in part on the before mentioned pin 34 As shown it is the said guide channel-,means itself which is. thus mounted in part on thelpiin When the magazine has a guide channel such as 13 the two said guide channels 13 and 46 register with each other when the @magazine is inplace as shown in Fig. 4. .It. is for this purpose that thelower end-.of-thachannel 13 is curved toward the .gun as already described. The lower wall of -theguide-channel 46 is formed by a. plate 47 forming apart of a bracket 48 which is connectedi to'thei-gun at .the left sidethereof. .The bracket48.has supporting brackets 48, :48 engaging the sideq of thev gun. vThese brackets have inward extending ears which are engaged by the said pin 34. The bracket 48 is provided with upturned flanges 49 and 50,at the front and rear sides thereof respectively, these flanges forming the front and rear walls of the guide channel. Cooperating with the wall 47 of the bracket 48 is a Preferably the, plate 51 constitutes the member on the gun which has already been referred to .asserving to engage the pawl operating element to cause the automatic movement of the pawl 17 to its inoperative position. As the magazine is moved downward to the position shown in Fig. 4 the element 20 is moved to withdraw the pawl 17 and release the cartridge belt A which then ordinarily moves by gravity to the position shown in Fig.4. i

i In order that the forward end of the feed belt may be advanced into operative relationship with the feed mechanism of the gun I provide a suitable manually operable device for adi'ancing the belt beyond the position shown in Fig. 4. This manually operable .guide channel 46. The slide 52 is operable by means of a knob 53 and it carries a spring pressed pawl 54 which is adapted to engage one of the cartridges of the belt to advance it could be forciblyadvanced by rep1 the belt as clearlyshown in Fig. 5. By means of theslide 52 and the pawl 54 the belt can be advanced so that the foremost cartridge thereof is in position to be engaged by the feed pawl 33 of the gun.

The slide 52 is normally positioned as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, being held in this position by means of a spring detent 55 shown in Fig. 2. This detent partly enters a hole 56 in the bracket 48. With the slide and the pawl in the positions shown, the pawl 54 engages a plate 57 on the bracket 48 so as to be held out of the path of the cartridge belt thus permitting the belt to move freely downward by gravity as already described. The position of the pawl54 is such that if the belt should for any reason fail to move downward by gravity .asdescribed, the said pawl would, upon movement of the slide 52, engage the foremost cartridge of the belt and positively move the belt forward. It'will be obvious that even if there should be a complete failure of the belt to move downward automatically eated nally brought into the position sh'ownin Fig. .5. It will be understood that as firing proceedsfthe belt A is drawn out of .then agaziiie first, from the left hand portion 4 thereof and then from the right hand portion 3 thereof.

As already explained the magazine is prefmovements of the slide 52.nntil it is;

.erably mounted on the pivotedcover of the gun. The magazine is therefore movable upward and forward when the cover 15 moved upward to expose the feed mechanism of the gun. In order that this upward and forward movement of the magazine maynot be interfered with by the portion of the belt located in the guide channel 46 we so construct the partsv forming the guide channel that one of the said parts is relatively movable to permit the belt to move out of the channel and thus release the magazine. Preferably we so mount the upper plate 51 that it can be moved so as to permit the belt to move out of the channel as described. Preferably the plate 51 is mounted to move pivotally upward and forward with the cover 30 and with the magazine. Preferably and as illustrated the plate 51 is provided with an upturned flange 58 which is connected by riveting or otherwise to the downward extending flange 39 at the lefthand side of the cradle As illustrated an opening 59 is formed in the flange 58 and also in the inner portion of the plate 51, this opening being for the purpose of providing clearance for the feed slide 32 of the gun. The front edge of the plate 51 is beveled as shown at 51 in Figs. 1 and 9 in order to permit it to clear thebelt when in the raised position. t I

Figs. 8 and 9 show the relative positions of the parts when the cover has been opened to expose the feed mechanism. It will be observed, particularly in Fig. 9, that the per position, thus bringing the-feed belt back into its proper positionin .the. channel 46. In order to guide the'belt downward into the chan-. nel there. is preferably provided a plate 50 secured to the flange 50 .ofthe bracket 48. This plate prevents any undue rearward movement. ofthe belt ,as. itmoves downward.

If firing is tobediscontinued before the feed belt is entirely used, the forward end of the belt can be,r.eleased;froni. the gun,- iuppn raising the cover. 30 and'the magazineas al; ready described, With the magazine-thus tipped foraviiiltdit mayb moved forward and upward away, fron fl illla, cradle, the latch being firstreleased; 1., It ,willbe noted that as soon as thema-gazineismiived aiYayimmt-he cradle and away, from the plate 51the pawl 17' automatically engages. the, belt' A to, prevent any further-withdrawal thereof, from ,the' magazine.- b 3 YVith a gun either-(particular.,designv ilIus-. trated the lower forwardcornerbfthe feed box 1 engagestheportion 60 ofthegun when the cover is open, thus raisingthe cradle and the magazine away. from theQcovenas illus-. trated clearlyin- Fig. 8.. Upon the return of the cover to its normal *positionthe, cradle and magazine would ordinarily return by gravity to their normal positions as shown in Fig. 7. However, in ordertonpositively in-, sure the return to normal positions we prefer to provide onthe bracket48 anextension 61 and to provide on the-cradle35ja pin 62. If the cradle and magazine should fail to move downward by gravity upon the return ofthe. cover 30 to its closed-position, the pin ,62 would engage the extension 61 and would positively force the cradle and magazine downward as described. The pin 62 has the. further function of limiting the upward movement of. thecradle. along the guide 38. lVithout a stop means such as the pin 62 the cradle might under some conditions be removed from the gun with the magazine.

What we claim is: I

1. For an automatic machine gun having a transverse feed channel therethrough for a cartridge belt, a cartridge magazine adapted to engage the gun at the top thereof and comprising in combination a box adapted to contain a cartridge feed belt and having a central longitudinal aperture locateddirectly between two'belt containing portions thereof and vertically above the gunwhen the magazine is in operative position, the bottom of the said aperture-being relatively close to the gun and the width of the aperture being suflicient to permit convenient sighting therethrough, means whereby the box may be held in operative relation to the gun, and means carried by the box atone side thereof forminga guide channel for the belt operatively associable with the said feed channel of the gun.

2; For anrautomatic machine gun having a transverse feed channel therethrough for a cartridgebelt, a cartridge magazine adapted to engage the gun at the top thereof and comprising in combinationa generally rectangular box adapted to contain a. cartridge feed belt and ,having a central. longitudinal aperture thereinextending downward from the top 'tl1ereof'and located directly between two belt containing portions andvertically a uts h nwhen em gaz e i in P- erative position, lthebottom ofth e said an r u ein lel tively.clo e o gu and of the aperture being sufiicient to He mit ,cerivtniei t h n .thleriethrough,

hereby the box may '-be 'held.- in op.- i 't e t h gu and meanswrifll y the at d ere m g. a guide cha'nnel "for the belt operatively asso ciable with the said feed channel of the gun.

For an automatic machine gun having a, transverse feed channel; therethrough fora f cartridge belt, a cartridge magazine adapte d;to engage, the gun at the toputhereof and comprising Lin combination a generally rectangula'r boxadap'ted to contain a cartridge feed belt and having a central longitudinal aperture therein extending downward from the top thereof andlocated directly between two belt containing portions and vertically above the gun when themagazine is in operative position, the bottom of the said aperture lieing' relatively close to the gun and the width of the aperture being-sufiicient to permit convenient sighting therethrough, means whereby the box maybe held in operative relation to the gun, means within the box at one side of the aperture and cooperating with the corresponding side wall of the aperture to form a restricted passageway for the-movementof the belt from, the said side of the-box to the other side, and means carried by the box at the last said other side thereof forminga guide channel for the belt operatively associable with the said feed channel of the gun.

4, For an automatic machine gun having a transverse feed channel therethrough for a cartridge belt, a cartridgemagazine adapted to engage the gun at the top thereof and comprising in combination a generally rectangular box adapted to contain a cartridge feed belt and havinga centrallongitudinal aperture therein extending downwardfrom the top thereof and located directly between two belt containing portions and vertically above the gun when the magazine is in operative position, the bottom of the said aperture being relatively close to the gun and the width of the aperture being sufficient to permit convenient sighting therethrough, means whereby the box may be held in operative relation to the gun, means within the box at one side of the aperture and cooperating with theco'rresponding sidewall of the aperture to form a restricted passageway for the movement of the belt from the said side of the box to the other side, means carried by the box at the last said other side thereof forming a guide channel for the belt operativelyassociable with the said feed channel of the gun, and guiderollers in the box adjacent the entrances to the said passageway and the said channel and adjacent the corners of the sighting aperture. a

5 For an automatic machine gun having a transverse feed channel therethroughfor a cartridge belt, a; cartridge magazine adapted toenga ge the gun at the top thereof and movable downward into operative position, the saidmagazine comprising in con b ination a box adapted to contain a cartridge .feed beltlandconstructed .to project laterally beyond the gun atleastat the side thereof corresponding to the entra'nce end of the feed channehmeans carried by the box and forminga guidefc'hannel adjacent the last said side thereof and communicating with the interior thereof, a' pawl normaly projecting into the saidguide channel for presenting outward movement'of a feed belt thcrethrough, and means for automatically moving the pawl out of'its normal belt engaging position upon the movement of the magazine downward into operative position as aforesaid.

6. For an automatic machine gun having a transverse feed channel therethrough for a cartridge belt, a cartridge magazine adapted to engage the gun at the top thereof and movable downward into operative position thereon, the said magazine comprising in combination a box adapted to contain a car tridge feed belt and constructed to project laterally beyond the gun at least at the side thereof corresponding to the entrance end of the feed channel, means carried by the box and forming a vertical guide channel adjacent the last said side thereof and communicating with the interior thereof, a stop normally projecting into the said vertical guide chan nel for preventing outward movement of a feed belt therethrough, and means for automatically moving the stop out of its normal belt engaging position upon the movement of the magazine downward into operative position as aforesaid.

7. For an automatic machine gun having a transverse feed channel therethrough for a cartridge belt, a cartridge magazine adapted to engage the gun at the top thereof and movable downward into operative position, the said magazine comprising in combination a box adapted to contain a cartridge feed belt and constructed to project laterally beyond the gun at least at the side thereof corresponding to the entrance end of the feed channel, means carried by the box and forming a guide channel adjacent the last said side thereof and communicating with the in terior thereof, a stop normally projecting into the said guide channel for preventing outward movement of a feed belt therethrough,

and an element movably mounted upon the box and connected with the stop, the said element being positioned to be moved by the gun upon the movement of the magazine downward into operative position as aforesaid and serving upon being so movedto automatically move the stop out of its normal belt engaging position.

8. For an automatic machine gun having a transverse feed channeltherethroughfor a cartridge belt, a "cartridge magazine adapted to engage the gun at the top thereof and movable downward into operative position thereon, the said magazine comprising in combination a box adapted to contain'a cartridge feed belt and constructed to project laterally beyond the gun at least atthe side thereof corresponding to .theentrance of the feed channel, means carried by the box and forming a vertical guide channel adjacent the last said side thereof and communicating with the interior thereof, a pivoted pawlnormally projecting into the saidv vertical guide channel for preventing outward movement of a fed belttherethrough, and an element i'votally mounted upon thebox and connecte with the pawl, the said element being positioned to be moved by the gun upon the movement of the magazine downward into operative position as aforesaid and serving upon being so moved to automatically move the pawl out of its normal belt engaging position.

9. The combination with an automatic machine gun having a transverse feed channel therethrough for a cartridge belt, of a cartridge magazine box normally detachably mounted on the gun at the top thereof, the said box being adapted to contain a cartridge feed belt and being provided with a guide channel for the belt at the side corresponding to the entrance end of the feed channel, means carried by the gun independently of the magazine and'forming a laterally extending guide channel registering with the feed channel of the gun and registering with the said guide channel of the magazine when the magazine is in operative position, a pawl normally projecting into the said guide channel of the magazine for preventing outward movement of a feed belt therethrough, and

- the assembly of the magazine with a gun,

thereby permitting automatic gravity move ment of the guide belt into the guide channel on the gun.

10. The combination with an automatic machine gun having a transverse feed channel therethrough for a cartridge belt, of means carried directly by the gun and form ing a laterally extending guide channel registering with the said feed channel and adapted to register with a companion guide channel of a cartridge magazine when the magazine is in operative position, and means carried by the gun and movable longitudinally of the said guide channel for engaging and moving a cartridge belt in the said channel.

11. The combination with an automatic machine gun having a transverse feed channel therethrough for a cartridge belt, of means carried directly by the gun and forming a laterally extending guide channel registering with the said teed channel and adapted to register with a companion guide channel of a cartridge magazine when the magazine is in operative position, a slide carried by the gun and movable longitudinallyof the said guide channel, a spring pressed pawl on the slide adapted'to project into the channelto engage and move a cartridge belt therein, and means for holding the pawl out of operative position when the slide is in its outermost position. l

12. The combination with an automatic machine gun having a transverse feed channel therethrough for a cartridge belt, ot a cartridge magazine box normally detachably mounted on the gun at the top thereof, the

said box being adapted to contain a cartridge feed belt and being provided with a guide channel for the belt at the side corresponding to the entrance end of the feed channel, means carried by the gun independently of the magazine and forming a laterally extending guide channel registering with the feed channel of the gun and registering with the said guide channel of the magazine when the magazine is in operative position, and means carried by the gun and movable longitudinally of the said guide channel on the gun for engaging and moving a cartridge belt in the said channel. 4

13. The combination with an automatic machine gun having a transverse feed channel thcrethrough for a cartridge belt, of a cartridge magazine box normally detachably mounted on the gun at the top thereof, the

said box being adapted to contain a cartridge feed belt and being provided with a guide channel for the belt at the side corresponding to the entrance end of the feed channel, means carried by the gun independently of the magazine and forming a laterally extending guide channel'registering with the feed channel of the gun and registering with the said guide channel of the magazine when the "channel.

magazine is in operative position, and means carried by the gun and movable longitudinally of the said guide channel on the gun for engaging and moving a cartridge belt in the said channel.

14. The combination with an automatic machine gun'having a transverse feed channel therethrough for a cartridge belt, of a cartridge magazine box normally detachably mounted-on the gun at the top thereof, the said box being adapted to contain a cartridge feed belt and being provided with a guide chann'elfor the belt at the side corresponding to the entrance end of the feed channel, means carried by the gun independently of the ma gazine and forming a laterally extending guide channel registering with the feed channel of the gun and registering-with the said guide chan'nelof the magazine when the magazine is in operative position, a-pawl' normally projecting into the said guide channel of the magazine for preventingoutward movement of a feed'belt there-through, means for automatically movingthe pawl outof its normal belt engaging position upon the assembly of the magazine with a gum-thereby permitting automatic gravitymovementiof the giiide belt intothe guide channel on the gun, and means carried by the gun and movable longitudinally, of thesaid guide channel on the gun for engaging and advancing the-belt in the said 15 The combination with an automatic machine gun: having a transversefeed channel therethmugh' fora cartridge belt,- of means "carried directly by the gun and forming a laterally extending g'uid'e channel registering with the said'feed channeland adapted to register with-a co'mpahion guide channel of a cartridge magazine when the magazine is in operative position, the said means-including a plate forming the upper wall of the guide channel and movablymounted to permit the 'belt to move upward out of the channel.

16'. The combination with an automatic machine gun having a transverse feed channel therethrough for a cartridge belt, of means'carried directly by the gun and forming alaterally extending guide channel registering with the said feed channel and adapted to register with a companion guide channel of a cartridge magazine when the magazine is in operative position, the said means includ 'ing a'plateforming the upper wall of the guide channel and pivoted-for upward movement about a transverse horizontal axis.

17 The combination with an automatic machine gun having a transverse feed channel therethrough'for a cartridge belt, ota cartridge magazine box normally detachably mounted on the gun at the top thereof, the said box'being adapted to contain a cartridge feed belt, and means carried by the gun independentlyof the magazine and forming a laterally extending guide channel registering with the feed channel of the gun and communicating with the magazine when the mag azine is in operative position, the said means including a plate forming the upper wall of the guide channel and mounted to be movable upward.

18. The combination with an automatic machine gun having a transverse feed channel therethrough for a cartridge belt, of a cartridge magazine box normally adapted to be detachably mounted on the gun at the top thereof, the said box being adapted to contain a cartridge feed belt, connecting means between the box and the gun permitting move ment of the box relatively to the gun about a transverse horizontal axis, and means carried by the gun independently of the magazine and forming a laterally extending guide channel registering with the feed channel of the gun and communicating with the magazine when the magazine is in operative position, the said means including a plate forming the upper wall of the guidechannel and pivoted for upward movement about a transversehorizontal axis simultaneously with the ivotal movementof the box.

19. The combination with an automatic machine gun having a transverse feed channel therethrough for a cartridge belt and havmg a cover pivoted for upward movement about a transverse horiontal axis, of a cartridge magaine box norm ally detachably mounted on the gun cover at the top thereof so as to be movable therewith, the said box being adapted to contain a cartridge feed belt, and means forming a guide channel for the belt communicating at one end with the box and extending laterally and normally registering with the feed channel of the gun, a part of the last said means being movi ble to permit the belt to move out of the guide channel and thereby permit the cover and magazine to be moved upward about the said axis.

20. The combination with an automatic machine gun having a transverse feed channel therethrough for a cartridge belt and having a cover pivoted for upward movement about a transverse horizontal axis, of a cartridge magazine box normally detachably mounted on the gun. cover at the top thereof so as to be movable therewith, the said box being adapted to contain a cartridge feed belt and being provided with a guide channel for the belt at the side corresponding to the entrance end of the feed channel, and means arried by the gun independently of the magazinc and forming a laterally extending guide channel registering with the feed channel of the gun and registering with the said guide channel of the magazine when the magazine is in operative position, the said means including a plate forming the upper wall of the guide channel and pivoted for upward movement about a transverse horizontal axis.

21. The combination with an automatic machine gun having a transverse feed channel thcrethrough for a cartridge belt, of a normally vertical guide secured to the gun near the front of the breech casing thereof, a cradle vertically movable along the said guide, a cartridge magazine box normally detachably mounted on the cradle so as to be movable therewith, the said box being adapted to contain a cartridge feed belt, and means forming a guide channel for the belt communicating at one end with the box and extending laterally and normally registering with the feed channel of the gun.

2-2. The combination with an automatic machine gun having a transverse feed channel thcrethrough for a cartridge belt and having a cover pivoted for upward movement about a. transverse horizontal axis, ofa normally vertical guide secured to the cover near the front thereof, a cradle vertically movable along the said guide, a cartridge magazine box normally detachably mounted on the cradle so as to be movable therewith, thesaid box being adapted to contain a cartridge feed belt, and

means forming a guide channel forthe belt communicating at one end with the box-and extending laterally and normally registering with the feed channel of the gun. y r

23. The combination with an automatic machine gun having a transverse feed chanf nel therethrough for a cartridge belt and havmg a cover pivoted for upward movement about a transverse horizontal axis, of a normally vertical guide secured-to the cover near the front thereof, a cradle vertically movable along the said guide, a cartridge magazine box normally detachably mounted on the cradle so as to be movable therewith, the said box being adapted to contain a cartridge feed belt and the said box engaging a portion of the gun so that the box and cradle are moved relatively upward as the cover is raised, means forming a guide channel for the belt communicating at one end with the box and extending laterally and normally registering with the feed channel of the gun, and means carried respectively by the cradle and by the gun independently of the cradle for moving the box and cradle downward along the guide as the cover and the parts thereon are lowered.

24c. The combination with an automatic machine gun having a transverse feed channel therethrough for a cartridge belt and having a cover pivoted for upward movement about a transverse horizontal axis, of a normally vertical guide secured to the cover near the front thereof, a cradle vertically movable along the said guide, a cartridge magazine box normally detachably' mounted on the cradle so as to be movable therewith, the said box being adapted to contain a cartridge feed belt and means carried by the gun inde endently of the magazine and forming a aterally extending guide channel registering lOO with the feed channel of the gun and communicating with the magazine when the magazine is in operative position, the said means including a plate forming the upper wall of the guide channel and carried by the said cradle.

25. An automatic machine gun having a transverse feed channel therethrough for a cartridge belt and also having a longitudinal pin adjacent the entrance end of the feed channel together with a pawl pivotally mounted on the pin and serving to prevent backward movement of a belt in the said channel, in combination with a cartridge magazine mechanism supported in part by means of the said pin and adapted to feed a cartridge belt to the said feed channel.

26. An automatic machine gun having a transverse feed channel therethrough for a cartrid e belt and also having a longitudinal pin ad]acent the entrance end of the feed channel together with a pawl pivotally mounted on the pin and serving to prevent backward movement of a belt in the said channel, in combination with a cartridge magazine box normally detachably mounted on the an at the top thereof, the said box bein a apted to contain a cartridge feed belt and being provided with a guide channel for the belt at the side corresponding to the entrance end of the feed channel, and means carried by the gun independently of the magazine and forming a laterally extending guide channel registering with the feed channel of the gun and registering with the said guide channel of the magazine when the magazine is in operative position, the last said being supported in part by the said pin. In testimony whereof we have hereunto set our hands this 6th day of April 1927.

CHRISTIAN PF EIFF ER. FREDERICK T. MOORE.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No. 1,719,126. Granted July 2, 1929, to

CHRISTIAN PFEIFFER ET AL.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 6, line 35, claim 5, for the misspelled word "normaly" read "normally", and in line 36, same claim, for "presenting" read "preventing"; same page, line 103, claim 8, for the word "fed" read "feed"; and that the said Letters Patent should he read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 30th day of July, A. D. 1929.

li.-J. Moore, (Seal) 1 Acting Commissioner of Patents.

CERTIFICATE OI CORRECTION.

Patent No. 1,719,126. Granted July 2, 1929, to

CHRISTIAN PFEIFFER ET AL,

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 6, line 35, claim 5, for the misspelled word "normaly" read "normally", and in line 36, same claim, for "presenting" read "preventing"; same page, line 103, claim 8, for the word "fed" read "feed"; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 30th day of July, A. D. 1929.

M. J. Moore, (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

